Israel has launched an airstrike on Hamas officials meeting in Doha, Qatar, reportedly targeting the group’s chief ceasefire negotiator. The attack, which Hamas says killed six people but left its leadership intact, has drawn sharp criticism from the White House, which described it as counterproductive to peace efforts.
Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani accused Israel of sabotaging chances for peace and practising “state terrorism”. He said Qatar reserves the right to respond to what he called a blatant attack on its sovereignty.
The White House confirmed it had been informed in advance and warned Qatar, but the warning reportedly arrived only as explosions began. President Trump said he played no role in the decision, which he attributed solely to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu insisted the operation was wholly independent, stating: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.” The Israeli military described the strike as a response to a Hamas-claimed shooting in Jerusalem that killed six Israelis.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack, saying it violated Qatar’s sovereignty, though British sources confirmed he still plans to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog in London. The Arab League and Turkey also denounced the strike.
